Sussex Seniors - 2024 Season

Following the AGM, we wished to share with you the Sussex Seniors report following their formidable season and success this year.

Report by Sara Whittaker, Seniors Captain

This time last year I reported that Sussex Seniors had two goals for the following season. First and foremost enjoyment and secondly to get the trophy back to Sussex having lost it in 2021, after holding it for 5 years. Well what a season 2024 has been. There has been some great competitive golf, lots of fun and I am pleased to report not one trophy but two! The team have also acquired their own personal names thanks to the Premier Inn!!

The season started well with the strongest team all being available for all the Mulligan Larsen matches. However, the team ended up playing Kent at Knole Park with No Ninney Greenfield due to a bad back, and no Syksie as no buggies! Poulsom and Black to the rescue who played brilliantly against tough opposition to grind results out amongst all the deer! A 4 - 2 win in the match felt like we had already won the league, however there was a long way to go. Surrey at home next, played at Worthing resulted in another 4-2 win. Essex followed and the team travelled at full strength to Chigwell to win again 4 - 2. The penultimate match was played at the beautiful Royal Ashdown Forest against Middlesex and we were at full strength until the Dame (Clarissa Bushell) went down with the dreaded Covid! Tracy Poulsom stepped in as it was her home course and the team won 4 - 2 win.The team finished off the season with another emphatic 6 - 0 win, this time over newcomers to the league Hampshire at Willingdon Golf Club. 

This win meant a clean sweep and no lost matches this year. The Mulligan Larsen Trophy is finally coming back to Sussex. 

Then Berkshire Women’s Golf hosted the Inter County Senior Team Championships at Mill Ride on Monday 16th September in beautiful sunshine.
The competition features 10 teams of 4 players with the best 3 aggregate stroke-play scores winning the trophy.  The course was in fantastic condition with extremely slick greens that proved challenging for all players.

Sussex were represented by Aileen Ninney Greenfield (Pyecombe), Dame Clarissa Bushell (West Sussex), Master Paula Carver (Worthing) and Lady Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest) playing against teams from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Surrey.

Sussex were defending champions having won the trophy in 2023 at Highwoods.  It was all quite tense in the clubhouse with many players disappointed with their individual scores. However, after a nervous wait Sussex were announced winners by one shot from Surrey with a score of 247 and Hampshire were 3rd. 

As Sussex Seniors season draws to a close they can look back on what a wonderful one it has been. Winners of the Mulligan Larsen Trophy and winners of the Inter County Senior Team Championship. Can we retain it next year to make it three in a row?

I would like to thank all the players who have represented the senior team this year including Rachelle Black (Willingdon) and Tracy Poulsom (RAF) in the Mulligan Larsen League and to all the county officials who have travelled to support the team at their matches. As one magnificent season draws to a close the team are already ‘chomping at the bit’ and looking forward to getting started on retaining the trophies!!!

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At the AGM, the SCLGA Board awarded the Morrice Cup to the Seniors Team for their excellent season. Congratulations to Sara and all her team members, we're confident for the 2025 season ahead.

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